Update:

It's been a long streach between posts!

(prepare for lots of pictures)

We said good-bye to Banjo at the first of this year.

We re-homed him.

Long story but he is better off with another loving family!

Tom and I took a trip to the ocean for a reprieve.

Cannon Beach is our  "Go To The Sea To Breath", retreat.

Tillamook Cheese Factory is a must.

 

They have the biggesst ice cones in

the world! (wink)

Another favorite place in McCall Idaho.

If we drive the VW and the sun is out, 

the top goes down.

A Bon Fire is a must when we have overnight guests.

Our Washington State family has been busy with all sorts of fun things.

Trey (10 yrs), was Shrek in his school play. He sang, danced and

said his lines perfectly for the family.

While we were back "home', we visited with my brother.

Our gardens are ripening and growing fast. 

Almost as fast as our grandkids.

I'm trying to keep up with new ideas and recipes with things from the garden.

Here I made Rose Water, out of our roses.

There were moments of refined culture.

We took the family to see 

Riverdance.

EVERYONE loved it.

For Mother's Day I recieved a Chicken Coop and two chicks.

What a surprise!

Introducing Henrirtta and Dixi Chick.

No eggs yet but soon.

We find  "Love Notes" all over our home.

Ila May put on a One Man Show for our family.

We all signed in, recieved a Program and some Red Licorice. 

Then found a perfect seat.

 Her Mom even had a Reserved Seat.

Ila May danced, sang, read poetry, did magic tricks, and entertained us

with her spunk!

Volunteers were asked to join her on stage.

Tom is always the first to raise his hand.

everyone.

Boys will be boys!!!

Tom has the younger boys waving to passing cars!

And yes, some honked back.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT !!!!!

Kimmy is pregnant with  #7 

and it's a 

GIRL!

Due date: early December

Her name has already been revealed...

Pearl Christine!

I couldn't be more honored!

 

End of November

 The end of November was full of giggles and love.

The "Three Little Guys",

had an overnight with us, while the rest of the family were

at home, in bed with illnesses. 

 We treated them to lunch at Costco.

Boys this age (9, 6, 4), are not finicky about where,

 as much as what is for lunch.

So it was Hotdogs and Pizza!

To cold to go outside, so we had "table time", 

coloring!

Nathan found Papa's funny glasses.

:::::::::::::~~~:::::::::::

Thanksgiving in Tacoma, Washington!

Tom and I went back "home" to see our other grand kids and family.

It has been a few years since we traveled back to the Seattle area.

Sure have missed the sights!

Mt. Rainier greeted us with all  it's splender.

And the kids greeted us with splender, too!

Upon arrival, we were welcomed with a demonstration 

of  LOVE at the door!

Huxley is now 3 years old and just like his dad,

loves being in the kitchen, helping to cook up something.

Christmas presents were opened early and enjoyed for hours.

Turkey is ready!

Look who is back at the stove!

Group picture!

My older brother, Steve and his wife Jeanne were invited.

Trey was on his tip toes (haha), sweet Scarlett was still

enjoying her new nightgown and Tom was trying to make Steve laugh.

Brother Steve and Tom acted like little kids.

They really have missed each other!

Our last night together we went out for a seafood dinner.

You just can't get fresh seafood in Idaho like you can in Seattle.

Ahhhh.... home again, after a wonderful and

happy time with family.

~~~~~~***~~~~~~

"In the same way, let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven."

Matthew 5:16

Cross Country and then Cross Country

A Fall Sport!

This is a sport that all can participate in.

Yup, Cross Country!

Lulu, Levi, Ila May and Silas all

run Cross Country.

This was their first meet, after weeks of practice.

Mom (Kimmy) is their head cheerleader.

“You Can do this Lulu!”

Look at Lulu’s smile as she sees her mom.

This brings back memories of when Kimmy

ran Cross Country!

 I'm also a cheerleader.

Isaac is cheering them on, too!

They all did well and can't wait for their next meet.

 ***********

And now for another Cross Country!

I drove to Tacoma (used to be Seattle) for a few days.

I needed to see our other grandchildren!

It has been way too long since we've hugged.

(thanks to the virus)

I took the 8 hour trip all by myself.

The weather was beautiful.

When I pulled in, 

 the hugs started with these two.

But where is Huxley?

Oh, yeah, there's Huxley!

You have to look very carefully.

He's hiding in the couch.

That's more like it!

Todd and Huxley!

Trey is into building anything that is battery powered.

This is his domain, 

the downstairs workbench.

Scarlett is very busy doing and being everywhere!

Huxley loves his siblings and 

will sit still only long enough for a book.

And then there is school.

Tacoma hasn't opened the schools yet.

So, like many others students

it’s at the dining room table.

 While Trey is doing school, Scarlett and I read this one book over and over again.!!            

Huxley napped and mom & dad worked from home.

The book we read, was about painting coffee cups.

Todd got the idea to go to a pottery shop and paint our own cups.

What a good dad!

So, off we went and 

we each painted a special project.

So fun!

 

We took a day and went to the Zoo

Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma

What a great place. So beautiful and easy to get around.

Everywhere we turned, was an exciting exhibit.

We practically had the place to ourselves.

We were there when they fed the two huge Walrus's .

Simply amazing.

The kids got to ask questions.

And they had a lot of great questions.

Learned so much.

Then, of course we went to Puget Sound. 

My first love! 

Oh, how I miss being there.

For dinner we had Fish-n-Chips, outside.

It was perfect.

I came home FULL!

Full of love.

Full of leaning.

Full of rain.

Full of special moments.

Full of time spent with family.

And of course.

FULL OF HUGS AND KISSES

to last until next visit!

💖

~~~~****~~~~

"Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. "

Deuteronomy 31:6